A Lutheran Among Friendly Pentecostals

2011 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-53
Author(s):  
Robert Jenson
Keyword(s):  
Spirit Baptism ◽  
The Church

AbstractJenson offers an appreciative response to the overtures of Jeffrey Lamp (Scripture), Chris Green (sacraments), Michael Chan (Judaism), and Rick Bliese (the charismatic Spirit). In explicating his theological stance, Jenson calls for a deeper appreciation of the sacramental unity of the Church and of the church's Spirit-shaped history. In regard to Judaism, he calls for Jewish and Christian theologians to think together on shared problems. Jenson accepts the genuineness of charismatic gifts, but he cannot agree with Pentecostalism's doctrine of a Spirit baptism subsequent to water baptism. Finally, he affirms the Church's pursuit of one eucharistic community.

Luke's Understanding of Baptism in the Holy Spirit: A Pentecostal Dialogues with the Reformed Tradition

2008 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 86-101
Author(s):  
Robert P. Menzies
Keyword(s):  
Holy Spirit ◽  
Biblical Theology ◽  
Theological Reflection ◽  
Good News ◽  
Unique Contribution ◽  
Reformed Tradition ◽  
Spirit Baptism ◽  
The World ◽  
The Holy Spirit ◽  
The Church

AbstractIn this article, Menzies notes that Reformed theologians have tended to read Luke's writings in the light of Paul's epistles. As a result, their theological reflection on the Spirit has centered more on his work in the Word and sacraments, the 'inner witness' of the Spirit, and less on his mission to the world. Additionally, this methodology has encouraged Reformed scholars to associate the Pentecostal gift (i.e. Spirit baptism) with conversion and regeneration. However, through an examination of key passages in Luke-Acts, Menzies argues that Luke has a unique contribution to make to a holistic biblical theology of the Spirit. Luke's understanding of baptism in the Holy Spirit is different from that of Paul. It is missiological rather than soteriological in nature. The Spirit of Pentecost is, in reality, the Spirit for others - the Spirit that compels and empowers the church to bring the 'good news' of Jesus to a lost and dying world. It is this Lukan, missiological perspective that shapes a Pentecostal understanding of baptism in the Holy Spirit. Menzies concludes that the clarity and vigor of Luke's message is lost when his narrative is read through Pauline lenses. Luke has a distinctive voice and it is a voice the church needs to hear.

The Intensity of the Spirit in a Spirit-Filled World: Spirit Baptism, Subsequence, and the Spirit of Creation

Pneuma ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 365-382
Author(s):  
Andrew K. Gabriel
Keyword(s):  
Jesus Christ ◽  
North American ◽  
Spirit Baptism ◽  
The Church

Abstract North American Classical Pentecostals have frequently described Spirit baptism as an experience that usually occurs subsequent to the reception of the Spirit at the point of conversion. When placed within a wider context of understanding the various ways in which the Spirit is present, it becomes apparent that this Pentecostal understanding of subsequence is only one instance of a subsequential experience of Spirit-filling. Given that we live in a Spirit-filled world, subsequent experiences of Spirit-filling can be seen in all believers, in the life of Jesus Christ, and in the life of the church. All of these experiences of being filled by the Spirit (and Spirit baptism in particular) may be expressed with the metaphor of the intensity of the Spirit.

The ‘Evasive’ Spirit of Pentecostalism

2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 92-116
Author(s):  
Joseph Quayesi-Amakye
Keyword(s):  
Historical Analysis ◽  
Spiritual Experience ◽  
The Other ◽  
Critical Examination ◽  
Spirit Baptism ◽  
The One ◽  
The Church

The paper discusses the contribution of Peter Newman Anim to the development of Ghanaian indigenous Pentecostalism. It examines the theological implications of Anim’s spiritual experience and the subsequent outpouring of the Spirit upon his organisation against the backdrop of the debate surrounding Spirit baptism. The Pentecostal doctrine of Spirit baptism has generated lots of debate between Evangelicals and Pentecostals. While the one contends that the baptism is a once for all time conversion-initiative experience for the Church universal, the other thinks otherwise. This paper takes up the debate from a Ghanaian Pentecostal stable by appealing to the first pneumatic experience that occurred in a secluded village that ignited the Pentecostal fire nationally. This phenomenon occurred outside the expectant Anim’s group, thus raising incisive theological questions concerning the plausible context and condition for Spirit baptism. By means of historical analysis, critical examination, and practical illustration the paper attempts to evaluate the various positions on Spirit baptism.

Spirit Baptism and Spiritual Formation: A Pentecostal Proposal

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-61
Author(s):  
Frank D. Macchia
Keyword(s):  
Spiritual Formation ◽  
Holy Spirit ◽  
Spirit Baptism ◽  
The Holy Spirit ◽  
Breathing Room ◽  
The Church

The Pentecostal understandings of baptism in the Holy Spirit hold potential for a more substantively pneumatological understanding of spiritual formation, but there are conceptual barriers to overcome before this potential can be realized. Specifically, the emphasis of revivalism on crisis experience and individualistic piety must be set within a larger framework that is more expansively ecclesiological and eschatological. A more expansively eschatological view of Spirit baptism can provide this framework, opening breathing room for prioritizing a pneumatological vision of spiritual formation in the life and mission of the church. Spirit baptism can still refer to new breakthroughs in the life of the Spirit (moments of Spirit filling) but those experiences would be couched within a larger vision of spiritual formation.

Review of Frank D. Macchia's Baptized in the Spirit: A Global Pentecostal Theology

2008 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clark H. Pinnock
Keyword(s):  
World Wide ◽  
Christian Theology ◽  
People Of God ◽  
Guiding Principle ◽  
The People ◽  
Spirit Baptism ◽  
Pentecostal Theology ◽  
The World ◽  
Doctrine Of The Church ◽  
The Church

AbstractFrank Macchia's Baptized in the Spirit is a significant volume in Christian theology written by a leading American Pentecostal theologian. The book sheds light on topic after topic, employing Spirit baptism as the guiding principle. Macchia argues that, more than empowerment, Spirit baptism justifies and sanctifies, renews and empowers the people of God and will go on doing so until creation is turned into the dwelling place of God. He develops a doctrine of the church as a Spirit-baptized and gifted fellowship, a sign of grace in the midst of the gracelessness that is in the world. The book represents an important maturation of Pentecostal thinking that engages a world-wide conversation.

Spiritual Healing, Sick Kids and the Law: Inequities in the American Healthcare System

2003 ◽  
Vol 29 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 269-299
Author(s):  
Janna C. Merrick
Keyword(s):  
Medical Science ◽  
Spiritual Healing ◽  
Best Interests ◽  
Legal Rights ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Divine Love ◽  
Religious Minority ◽  
Human Need ◽  
East End ◽  
The Church

Main Street in Sarasota, Florida. A high-tech medical arts building rises from the east end, the county's historic three-story courthouse is two blocks to the west and sandwiched in between is the First Church of Christ, Scientist. A verse inscribed on the wall behind the pulpit of the church reads: “Divine Love Always Has Met and Always Will Meet Every Human Need.” This is the church where William and Christine Hermanson worshipped. It is just a few steps away from the courthouse where they were convicted of child abuse and third-degree murder for failing to provide conventional medical care for their seven-year-old daughter.This Article is about the intersection of “divine love” and “the best interests of the child.” It is about a pluralistic society where the dominant culture reveres medical science, but where a religious minority shuns and perhaps fears that same medical science. It is also about the struggle among different religious interests to define the legal rights of the citizenry.

Ideas and Leaders in Contentious Politics: One Parish Priest in El Salvador's Popular Movement

2014 ◽  
Vol 38 (01) ◽  
pp. 76-101
Author(s):  
PETER M. SANCHEZ
Keyword(s):  
Collective Action ◽  
El Salvador ◽  
Liberation Theology ◽  
Contentious Politics ◽  
Religious Leaders ◽  
Political Movement ◽  
Parish Priest ◽  
Historical Moment ◽  
Resource Mobilisation ◽  
The Church

AbstractThis paper examines the actions of one Salvadorean priest – Padre David Rodríguez – in one parish – Tecoluca – to underscore the importance of religious leadership in the rise of El Salvador's contentious political movement that began in the early 1970s, when the guerrilla organisations were only just beginning to develop. Catholic leaders became engaged in promoting contentious politics, however, only after the Church had experienced an ideological conversion, commonly referred to as liberation theology. A focus on one priest, in one parish, allows for generalisation, since scores of priests, nuns and lay workers in El Salvador followed the same injustice frame and tactics that generated extensive political mobilisation throughout the country. While structural conditions, collective action and resource mobilisation are undoubtedly necessary, the case of religious leaders in El Salvador suggests that ideas and leadership are of vital importance for the rise of contentious politics at a particular historical moment.

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